Originally posted by: sactoking
Originally posted by: sandorski
Polygamy introduces many elements into Society that cause longterm problems:
1) Lack of Genetic Diversity. Probably the best reason to not allow it. A mentally and physically healthy Society needs to avoid this.
You're assuming that one man is going to have multiple wives who only bear his children. Hell, in today's world a man isn't guaranteed to have ONE wife to only bear his children. And a woman with multiple husbands can only have children so often. If anything, polygamy may assist the genetic strength of
homo sapiens. Biologically, we've become somewhat genetically deficient. Due to political/economic/religous, etc reasons people who should not be procreating due to genetic flaws, are. Our modern medicine keeps people alive who should die and helps people reproduce who shouldn't.
(1) Scientists say that humanity has reached a point where we have ceased to evolve. Maybe that's our own damn fault...
2) Changes the Social Order. The Wealthy will become Babe Magnets, literally. A Sub-Culture of Men may form unable to attract a Mate. This will cause conflict within Society which will often result in violence and some of that violence could be widespread.(latter part is rather over dramatic, but violent tendancy will increase).
The 'wealthy' won't be babe magnets,
(2)the genetically superior will. Overall though, if spouses in the plurality are allowed to leave a marriage at will, the balance should not be tipped in favor (or against) either sex. The only reason you can observe the 'lost boys' of existing polygamist societies is because the wives are NOT allowed free will. Current polygamists get it wrong by using arranged marriage.
3) In a Modern Prosperous Society, there really is no good reasons why Polygamy is a Benefit to Society. So why have it at all?
This is true only if you believe 'polygamy' means 'Fundamentalist LDS'.